| The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002. |
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| confederation |
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| A group of nations or states, or a government encompassing several states or political divisions, in which the component states retain considerable independence. The members of a confederation often delegate only a few powers to the central authority. | 1 |
| ‡ The United States was governed as a confederation in the first few years of its independence (see Articles of Confederation). | 2 |
| ‡ Canada is officially a confederation of provinces. | 3 |
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| | | The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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